I am down with a fever, flu and sore throat (ugh!) but wanted to celebrate this happy milestone 
Typical Mummy, eh?
I had trouble with potty training since May 2008 and couldn’t wait to try toilet training again after we settled down here.
Things were tricky even though I had a nice stash of gently-used diapers that allowed him to be in cloth diapers all day:
1. He got so comfortable in them, he didn’t mind the wetness!
2. The furniture and other surfaces got wet (and stinky) if he happens to be in the fitted diapers that don’t come with a waterproof layer.
3. When I left him diaper-less, he’d leave little “gifts” of poo in the hall for me!
To be honest, I was a bit fed up because I had to pick up the “gifts”, mop up the mess, soak the diapers (thankfully for Hubby to wash), run after him before he spreads the mess and then haul him to the toilet…
Since boys usually take a little longer to toilet train, I forced myself to remain calm but I HAVE wailed in dismay when the accidents happen too often.
I decided to try underwear and whipped out the few I bought. Every 20 minutes, I’d rush him to the toilet to pee and we managed to do it quite successfully. But he regressed a few weeks and would pee freely as if he wanted to watch Mummy mop up the mess!
I strengthened my resolve to NOT react each time this happens but to tell him in a calm voice,
“You pee on the floor again. Next time you wanna pee, tell Mummy ok?”
During the second week of preschool, his disposables were taken off in class as they go to the toilet every 15 minutes.
Again, there were hitches as:
1. He’s used to a sitting toilet – the boys’ toilet had either urinals or the squat toilets. He couldn’t pee when he was brought there but eventually, they let him squat.
One day, they ran out of disposables and we had to ride home with him only in shorts. I was very nervous kept telling him he CANNOT pee in Uncle’s van. He understood and repeated,
“Cannot pee in Uncle’s van. Go home pee toilet.”
Some of the older boys like to take a whizz in the bushes and that day, he decided he wanted to do the same. He stayed dry until we reached home – phew!!!
2. The Chinese kids say “niau-niau” to signal a pee. I told the teacher to listen out for either “pee!” or “pee toilet!” from him but it didn’t help as he doesn’t yell out as loud as them. He managed to say “meow-meow” hahaha.
In the end, the 2 teachers and 2 ayis learned the English words for “pee”, “pee toilet”, “wash hands”, “water bottle”, “bolster”, “change nappy” etc to better understand him.
It’s only the second week but I’m glad to report that he can pee:
- every 30 minutes (getting longer to an hour now)
- standing at the urinal, squatting over the old-fashioned toilet or sitting on the throne
I also managed to stop that “pee in the bushes” habit, which he likes a lot!
We’re still working on the poo, which is about 50-50 in the nappy and toilet. For now, it’s, hip, hip hurray!!!
WHAT WORKS FOR US:
1. Check if your child’s nappy stays dry for 1-2 hours in between changes. If yes, he’s physically ready for toilet training.
2. Cloth diapers really do help – when wet, he’d rip them off (except for one period). In disposables, he never did that.
3. Reading a book or watching a VCD about the nappy experience helps to prepare him for this big step.
4. Get the same sex parent to show the child how it’s done in the toilet. Also, explore together how a toilet works i.e. you sit on it, do your business, flush the pee/poo and then wash your hands.
5. Some kids are afraid of the flush but if you remain calm and show them that it’s just the water sound (making it sound fun helps) then they’ll get over it. But if they seem terrified, hang on and try again 2-3 days later.
6. Some kids love the flush but I hate wasting water. He used to sneak quietly and quickly to flush the toilet but my sister and I would watch out for that – we tell him he can only flush after he’s done a pee or a poo on the toilet.
7. Colourful underwear with favourite characters or pictures encouraged him to love putting it on. He’ll also say he’s a “big boy” when he wears them ? He only wears underwear at home.
When we go out, he’s in 100% cotton shorts with elastic waists – easy to pull down the minute he whispers, “Pee”. No more pants with zippers!
8. Never, never scold or smack him when an accident happens. They are still learning and if you get angry, you’ll only create fear. Be positive and encouraging.
9. Peer pressure helps a lot! When he was 2 years old, he showed an interest in the potty when he saw his twin cousins do it. Being in preschool also stepped up his interest to pee like the other boys do.
10. Be patient. Toilet training may fail if something NEW is happening in his life e.g. moving house, having a new sibling or starting school. Wait till things settle down before trying again. Good luck!
NOTE: He is still in cloth diapers just before he sleeps and in disposable diapers for the rest of the night. I have not yet found a cloth diaper that can help tide him through the night 
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m just only starting potty training my son during weekends when I am home and luckily so far, only two accidents.
My son started poo-ing in the toilet at about one year plus when he could articulate that he wants to ‘ngh ngh’ but at that time he sometimes do forget and do it in his diapers.
Now, he’s two and half and I’ve bought him new underwear to wear in lieu of diapers. He loved his new underwear! And would be holding onto his ‘bird’ when he needs to pee and urgently telling me he needs to ‘wee wee’ nowadays so as not to wet his new underwear. So far so good!
By the way, he pees standing up and has no qualms using the toilet (we have a small step for him to stand on and a small baby seat to place on the toilet seat) because we made it a habit to leave all doors in our home open so he is used to seeing both us use the toilet.
It is too bad that our babysitter is not that bothered to potty train him as she still insists that he wears diapers. She only let him use the potty for number two. Probably afraid that he may make a mess and wet her furniture if she lets him go around without diapers.
Good luck with your potty training!
Foong – Cool…our sons are about the same age! I know what you mean about babysitters and preschools in Malaysia insiting on disposable diapers. It’s really different here in China because disposables are VERY EXPENSIVE (double the price, half the quality).
From 3 months onwards, China babies are either diaper-less, in shorts or in crotchless shorts so they can wee-wee anywhere. There are pros and cons to this – good for the baby but bad for everyone else who has to put up with the stink and soil all over the place!
Awwww…. he is a BIG boy!!!!!!
So happy for you that he is getting there. Darrius is on the same stage too even I started to train him months back. I hope I can get him completely off the diapers by next year. The night time is a little tough so we’ll see how it goes…
Good Luck!
Ooo…cool, he is almost there.
that wee in the bush thing… so hilarious..it’s good for long journeys tho! heheheh..but of course, easier to bring a bottle. their appendages make it so easy to wee..unlike for girls! haahahahhahahahah
Bravo to both mummy and the boy! I know it’s really a proud moment to celebrate… En En is 27 months now and 95% diaperless. I only put her in CD at night but sometiems she can go all dry till she wakes up… I was amazed of how big her bladder is and she really can tahan very well… When we go out for short trip, just make sure she pee before out or for a longer distance destination…. we’ll bring along he red potty in the car! Sounds funny huh, but it’s part of the toilet training since she totally refuse any type of diapers now.
Angeleyes – Ya, I think next year shouldn’t be a problem. He goes to the toilet regularly in school yet and comes back with dry pants! We’ll just wait for the poo and night time peeing to take its turns
Mott – (rolls eyes) You have no idea how embarrassing that ‘pee in the bush’ habit is…thankfully we’re in China. In Malaysia, I’m sure we’ll get “Aiyo, so kampung!” comments LOL I wonder how girls potty train???
Sharine – Wow that’s good! I know many parents who bring the potty along. I’d do the same too if we were in Malaysia. But we have no car here ler…I think boys have it easier for toilet training compared to girls!
This have never be an easy job. My boy is not ready for that yet. Thanks for highlighted out all the point how we know we should start potty training..great guide.
You’re right about it not being easy
Try later lor when he’s more receptive. He HAD to be coaxed to pee in the toilet at home…I had A LOT of running, squealing and mopping to do before he’d co-operate!
Got mamypoko in CHina??? Aiyo, can’t find it in Cheung Chau. I am a big fan of mamy poko.
My girl just like to poo-poo in the diaper. She used to be able to tell me when she wanted to poo-poo. After moving around too many times and her constipation problem, so now I just let her be until she is ready. As for the pee-ing, as long as she is diaperless, she will tell me when she wants to go to the toilet.
Got mamypoko in CHina??? Aiyo, can’t find it in Cheung Chau. I am a big fan of mamy poko.
My girl just like to poo-poo in the diaper. She used to be able to tell me when she wanted to poo-poo. After moving around too many times and her constipation problem, so now I just let her be until she is ready. As for the pee-ing, as long as she is diaperless, she will tell me when she wants to go to the toilet.
Malaika’s Mummy – Eh, that’s surprising as I find it here but it’s 2x more expensive and 1/2 the quality. I brought his from home as they’re better and cheaper. Anyway, the quality isn’t as it used to be…
I just got him to poo in the toilet these past 2 days! (claps hands with glee LOL) The school told us he refused the disposable for nap time also YAYYYYYYYY
Yeah, best to settle down first lor before trying something new. Aiyo…Malaika doesn’t want to drink water or eat fruits? Not good for kids to have constipation.
Good job! it takes a lot of patience and time to potty train.
my boy has been on underwear for almost two months. he still wet the underwear ocassionaly but doesn’t wet the floor, at least he can control now. the next thing is to try to get him go to potty himself. now we still have to remind and bring him to potty.
WhoIsBaby – It’s great isn’t it? He forgets sometimes too esp when he’s reading or playing with his toys. I watch out for “pee shivers” when he’s concentrating on his activities
Then, I’ll cheekily say, “Ahhh…ai pee liau see bor (you wanna pee, right)? Let’s go pee. Quick, run, run, run!” to add a bit of excitement LOL
His control is up to an hour now. He doesn’t like the reminders but he’s been really good about telling us when he needs to go. He’s been pooping in the loo too!